Today’s blog
Lynn Murphy Mark
“Your lifestyle”
In our book, “Kaleidoscope Diaries”, Sheila and I both wrote stories about being gay, sandwiched between other truthful tales about our lives. We did talk about the significance of being totally honest and putting it all out there for our readers. We decided that at our age we have nothing left to prove and we are not looking for anyone’s approval. Mostly. So we wrote our stories, put them in a really cool cover, and let them fly free.
Anyone who has read the book has voiced their pleasure at reading the stories we wrote. It is so affirming and delightful to think that something we produced resulted in people laughing, or being thoughtful about a particular topic. The feedback is warmly welcomed.
I donated some copies to my church, so they could be sold in the bookstore and the proceeds kept by the church. They graciously asked me sign books for people who bought the book one day after a service. We raised several hundred dollars for church as a result. Since then, people have told me how much they enjoy reading it. Music to my ears.
I have a favorite story about this. In our congregation there is an absolutely lovely woman who is 97 years old. When I say lovely, I mean she is a beautiful woman who is always dressed to the nines. She can also accessorize like no ones business. We have developed a friendship since I was her prayer chaplain who called her every month for a year in 2020. We always speak to each other before or after church.
Anyway, she bought a copy of the book back in May and is now on her second go around of reading it. The other day she told me she really enjoyed it. I asked her if there were any surprises in the book. She thought for a moment and said, “Yes.”. I was curious, so I pressed the point. “Well,” she said, looking right at me, “your lifestyle.”.
That statement made me smile. At the same time I realized this was a teaching moment and that I could be honest with her about my experience of marriage to another woman. I told her we were like any other old married couple – we bicker and complain and care about each other. She said she just wasn’t familiar with this whole idea. “I’ll really think about it.”, she said. I felt really proud of her, at 97, with all her life experience, for being willing to consider an idea that was foreign to her. I asked her if she felt any different about me. “Absolutely not!”, she exclaimed. It was a small victory for the LGBTQIA community.
I can’t help but think about the possibility that my marriage may come under the scrutiny of the rabid conservatives on the Supreme Court. I want them to read this blog and understand that they actually do not represent the majority of people in the United States. I know it’s not their job to represent anyone, but I absolutely believe that they are influenced by the cruel minority that is holding our country hostage. I want my friend to meet with the Justices and school them on the importance of diversity in our country. She would do a great job, “if it please the Court…”.